All-Metro first-team defense

November 12, 2012 - 8:43 PM

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Deon Dorvil, Edina, sr., DL: 5-11, 290, DT. Speed and strength in a stout, immoveable frame. A great two-gap player who can occupy two lineman and still slide off and make tackles. Stunning initial burst surprises opponents.

Birk Olson, Monticello, sr., DL: 6-3, 235. Mississippi 8 Conference MVP. A crushing defender who controls his side of the field. Had 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven QB hurries and four forced fumbles. Has offers from Cornell and Princeton.

Joe Schiller, Totino-Grace, sr., DL: 6-2, 245, NG. The 2011 Class 2A wrestling champion at 195 pounds. Great with his hands in playing off blocks. Anchors the metro's top defensive front. Can collapse a line if needed.

Jack Cotrell, Eden Prairie, sr., LB: 6-4, 215 pounds. Committed to Boston College, where he projects as a DE. Rangy with good top-end speed but strong enough to take on blockers at the point of attack. A sure tackler and above average in pass coverage.

Alex Wood, Lakeville North, sr., LB: 6-0, 195. A big hitter who plays sideline to sideline. Leader of a defense that has held seven of 11 opponents to 10 points or less. "One of the best leaders I have been around," said coach Brian Vossen.

Chris Wipson, Wayzata, sr., LB: 6-2, 217. Plays at a fast tempo and has a knack for blitzing. Intelligent and instinctual, with excellent timing. Committed to Minnesota before a knee injury ended his season.

Tycel Page, St. Paul Highland Park, sr., DB: 6-0, 170, DB/WR. A two-way force who led the Scots in total offense with 1,259 total yards. Had 47 tackles, eight passes defensed, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Ethan Maass, Glencoe-Silver Lake, sr., DB: 6-0, 170, S. Wright County Conference DB of the Year. Leading tackler three years in a row. Finished career with 283 tackles, eight interceptions and eight forced fumbles.

Oscar Opara, DeLaSalle, sr., DB: 6-0, 190, CB. Missed time because of a leg injury but was a shutdown corner when healthy. Had five interceptions despite rarely getting targeted. Excellent ball skills and recovery speed.

Wyatt Schmidt, St. Thomas Academy, sr., kicker: Strong, accurate leg. Currently perfect, having made 32 of 32 point-after and 12 of 12 field-goal attempts. Has more than 35 touchbacks on kickoffs and averages 41 yards per punt.